What happens if my Thai wife dies?
What happens if my Thai wife dies?
Succession and Inheritance in Thailand
What happens if the deceased passes away without leaving a will?
If a person in Thailand passes away without leaving a will, the law of intestacy will apply. This means that the estate of the deceased will be distributed among their statutory heirs according to the law outlined in Book VI of the Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand.
Who are the statutory heirs?
There are six classes of statutory heirs in Thailand, and each class is entitled to inherit in a specific order:
- Descendants
- Parents
- Brothers and sisters of full blood
- Brothers and sisters of half blood
- Grandparents
- Uncles and aunts
The surviving spouse is also considered a statutory heir and is entitled to inherit from the estate.
Can I inherit property located in Thailand without going to court?
The process of inheriting property in Thailand may require court involvement, depending on the value and type of the property left by the deceased. For small amounts of money in the bank or property that does not require registration, it may be possible to inherit without a court order. However, for certain properties like land or cars, you may need to be appointed as an estate administrator by the court to inherit.
How long does the process of appointing an estate administrator take?
Typically, it takes around 3 months for the court to process an application for estate administration and an additional 30 days for the court to issue an “Order of Final Judgment.” However, contested applications can prolong the process up to a year or more.
If you need assistance with estate planning, inheritance, or appointing an estate administrator in Thailand, please contact us at [mythailoveofficial@gmail.com].